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Colour close up photograph of windows and balconies on the Crowne Plaza; it can be seen that they are no longer perfectly aligned.
We examine the role of business interruption (BI) insurance in business recovery following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. First, we ask whether BI insurance increases the likelihood of business survival in the immediate (3-6 months) aftermath of a disaster. We find positive but statistically insignificant evidence that those firms that had incurred damage, but were covered by BI insurance, had higher likelihood of survival post-quake compared with those firms that did not have any insurance. For the medium-term (2-3 years) survival of firms, our results show a more explicit role for insurance. Firms with BI insurance experience increased productivity and improved performance following a catastrophe. Furthermore, we find that those organisations that receive prompt and full payments of their claims have a better recovery than those that had protracted or inadequate claims payments, but this difference between the two groups is not statistically significant. We find no statistically significant evidence that the latter group (inadequate payment) did any better than those organisations that had damage but no insurance coverage. In general, our analysis indicates the importance not only of adequate insurance coverage, but also of an insurance system that delivers prompt claim payments. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in 'The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice'. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41288-017-0067-y. The following terms of use apply: https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/publication-policies/aam-terms-of-use.
A Line of Best Fit explores weakness and disconnection in the city. Weakness: There are over 600 earthquake prone buildings in Wellington. The urgency to strengthen buildings risks compromising the aesthetic integrity of the city through abrasive strengthening techniques, or losing a large portion of our built environment to demolition. The need for extensive earthquake strengthening in Wellington, Christchurch and other New Zealand cities provides an exciting opportunity for architecture. Disconnection: In Wellington pedestrian activity is focused around three main routes: Cuba Street, Lambton Quay and Courtney Place. The adjacent areas are often disconnected and lack vibrancy due to large building footprints, no-exit laneways and lack of public spaces. The Design proposes a strategy for earthquake strengthening, preserving and upgrading the built environment, and expanding and connecting the pedestrian realm. The site is two earthquake prone buildings on the block between Marion Street and Taranaki Street in central Wellington. A cut through the centre of the Aspro and Cathie Buildings ties the buildings together to strengthen and create a new arcade as public space. The cut aligns with existing pedestrian routes connecting the block with the city. The Design is divided into three components: Void, Curve, and Pattern and Structure. Void investigates the implications of cutting a portion out the existing buildings and the opportunities this provides for connection, urban interaction, and light. Curve discusses the unusual form of The Design in terms of scale, the human response and the surrounding spaces. Pattern and Structure considers the structural requirements of the project and how a void enveloped in perforated screens can strengthen the earthquake prone buildings. The importance of connection, providing strength in the city, a dialogue between old and new, and engagement with the unexpected are evaluated. Opportunities for further development and research are discussed, with particular reference to how the principles of The Design could be implemented on a larger scale throughout our cities. A Line of Best Fit is an architectural proposal that creates strength and connection.
A scanned copy of a photograph of the garden of Di Madgin's former home in the Red Zone, taken before the earthquakes. The Avon River is in flood in the background.
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The McKenzie & Willis building on Tuam Street. The building next door to it has suffered more damage from the 23 December 2011 earthquake".
A Port-a-loo on the side of Avonside Drive. It has been set up for use by residents without functioning sewers as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A buried septic tank on Galbraith Avenue in Avonside. These tanks were installed in front of Avonside properties to allow residents to use their toilets after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A Port-a-loo on the side of Avonside Drive. It has been set up for use by residents without functioning sewers as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A Port-a-loo on the side of Avonside Drive. It has been set up for use by residents without functioning sewers as a result of the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A buried septic tank on Galbraith Avenue in Avonside. These tanks were installed in front of Avonside properties to allow residents to use their toilets after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.
A crane driving piles in for the foundations of the new New World supermarket in Kaiapoi. The old New World was demolished after being damaged in the 4 September 2010 earthquake.